Reports: Ravi Ashwin likely to make a comeback in the ODI squad during the South Africa series

India off-spinner Ravi Ashwin is likely to be included in the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. Earlier, the 35-year-old had made a return to the T20I squad during the 20-20 World Cup. He ended up taking six wickets in three games he played. Later, the off-spinner also performed well in the T20I series against New Zealand and the subsequent Test matches.

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The selection committee, led by Chetan Sharma will meet in the next 24 hours to pick the team for the ODI series, and Ashwin is likely to be picked in the squad. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Venkatesh Iyer are also in the fray to be included in the ODI team. The duo has been in sizzling form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.

“Cricbuzz understands Venkatesh Iyer, who has been making waves since his breakout performance in the UAE leg of the IPL in September-October, will get the selectors nod as a probable backup for Hardik Pandya, who has been troubled by injuries of late,” said a report in Cricuzz

“With four centuries in five games of the Vijay Hazare tournament, Maharashtra and Chennai Super Kings opener Ruturaj Gaikwad will inevitably select himself. But the selectors will have to wrack their brains over another opener, Shikhar Dhawan. The last time India played an ODI series - in Sri Lanka in July - the southpaw was the skipper but has since been facing stiff competition from the likes of Devdutt Paddikal and Prithvi Shaw who have been doing well,” it added

On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja has some fitness issues and most likely will not be picked in the ODI squad. Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal could be the other two spinners in the squad.